Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoran shouted angrily at He Lin, "It won't die, it won't die!"

He Lin noticed that Gu Xiaoran adored the annoying black dog, and his gaze turned to Zhan Yue.

Thinking of the two hundred taels of compensation from last time, Zhan Yue reached out and touched her chest.

When he touched it, he was dumbfounded again.

The master and servant looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Zhan Yue, where's the money?"

Zhan Yue searched again, "The money... seems to have been left at the inn."

He Lin... was in a predicament.

Why does he still keep this stupid guard by his side?

He looked to Gu Qian for help, but the latter, still angry, turned his face away and ignored him.

He Lin recalled the emergency he had just dealt with, and took off the gold medal from his waist again. He then walked quietly to Gu Xiaoran, squatted down, and placed the gold medal into his small hand.

"Jin'er, this gold medal will ensure your future well-being."

After saying that, he turned and left.

If he doesn't leave, Gu Qian will definitely not leave either.

If he continues to linger in Baiyang, and the enemy takes advantage of the situation, wouldn't he be losing more than he gains?

Gu Qian stared at the gold medal for a moment, then remained silent.

As soon as He Lin turned to leave, Gu Xiaoran quickly stood up, threw the gold medal forcefully at He Lin's lower back, and said, "I don't want your stuff."

He Lin paused slightly, turned around, glanced at Gu Xiaoran again, then turned and left the courtyard.

After He Lin left, Gu Qian picked up the gold medal and handed it back to Gu Xiaoran, saying, "Xiaoran, this is compensation, so you can keep it."

Gu Xiaoran frowned as she looked at the gold medal, then shoved it directly into Qiu Yan's hand, saying, "Mother, take it."

He didn't want the gift from that man.

Seeing the blood streaming from Shandian's abdomen, he buried his face in Qiu Yan's arms and cried uncontrollably.

"Mom, will lightning kill it...?" He was really scared.

In Gu Xiaoran's heart, lightning is his best playmate.

Looking at the deep, bone-revealing knife wound on Lightning's back and its casually dangling left leg, Qiu Yan comforted it, "It'll be alright."

With such a severe injury, recovery will likely be difficult.

Gu Xiaoran stopped crying and wiped away his tears: "Really?"

"Yes, don't forget, my specialty is seeing patients."

Because of the severity of Lightning's injuries, Qiu Yan did not delay and immediately began to treat Lightning's wounds.

Gu Xiaoran sat obediently to the side, helping to apply medicine and wrap bandages.

After the wound was bandaged, Gu Xiaoran stayed by Lightning's side, no longer as mischievous as before.

Gu Qian had already left the courtyard to look for He Lin.

Upon realizing that Gu Qian was chasing after him, He Lin stopped in his tracks.

Because of his earlier embarrassment, he no longer mentioned the matter of proposing marriage.

“Gu Qian, Jin’er is my son. He shouldn’t stay in this backward county. He should receive a good upbringing and be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future.”

No, he is my son.

Gu Qian never admitted that Gu Xiaoran was He Lin's son.

"General Gu, don't forget your mission. Since you don't agree to the marriage alliance, go to the military camp immediately; they can't do without you there."

He knew that a war between the two countries was inevitable; it was only a matter of time.

He Lin is determined to eliminate Northern Qi, and therefore he is currently recruiting many strong generals.

Unexpectedly, Gu Qian remained calm and unhurried.

No rush.

"Do you know that the Northern Qi is currently recruiting soldiers on a large scale to strengthen its foundation?"

"I know, but haven't you been recruiting soldiers all along?" Gu Qian's thoughts went beyond just recruiting soldiers.

"Good to know." He Lin said, then turned and returned to Shangjin Imperial City.